There are two related truths that seem to inform American foreign policy:

(1) The economies of the developed and developing worlds are dependent on a steady, and growing supply of oil.

(2) We need to have stable and cooperative governments in oil rich nations. Where we dont have them, we need to safeguard oil supplies by force.

Arent these statements nearly self-evident?

Christianity and Islam are not at war. Were not primarily concerned about spreading democracy throughout the world, with replacing monarchies and demagogues with the duly elected.

Having said that, isnt it clear that we need to arrange a transition from oil dependency to energy independence?

We should assume the oil supply is being shut down, earlier than it would take for remaining deposits to become exhausted though consumption. In all likelihood, terrorism and politics will strangle the supply before that.

Where will that leave us, if we havent developed substitutes?

In the meantime, why not tell the world it is our policy to control the supply of oil, to pay a reasonable price for it, and to relinquish control when we have developed alternatives?

If we could get other oil guzzling economies, such as those in Europe and Asia to say the same, perhaps we could make real progress.

Some might say such a policy admits to overt colonialism, to economic exploitation.

Perhaps, but we would at least retain some sense of connection with a prime virtue: honesty. And this could only help our credibility at home and abroad.